The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing some new consumer protections for air travelers, including requiring airlines to disclose fees for extra services and more carriers to report complaints.

The proposals made today would: require airlines to disclose fees for extra services; require more carriers to report their performance and complaint data to the DOT; clarify the definition of a ticket agent; and require large travel agents to adopt minimum customer service standards.

The government is building on passenger protection rules it issued in 2009 and 2011 that reduced long airplane tarmac waits, increased airline compensation available when passengers are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight and required airlines and ticket agents to show travelers airfare including all mandatory fees and taxes. The proposal also addresses the issue of ancillary services fees the DOT previously pledged to tackle and includes recommendations by two federal aviation advisory committees.

“Knowledge is power, and our latest proposal helps ensure consumers have clear and accurate information when choosing among air transportation options,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. “The proposal we’re offering today will strengthen the consumer protections we have previously enacted and raise the bar for airlines and ticket agents when it comes to treating travelers fairly.”

Updated at 10:30 a.m.: Also today, Foxx posted a Twitter note about the DOT’s proposal being just in time for the busy summer air travel season.

Updated at 10:45 a.m.: Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, applauded the DOT’s action. Consumers will benefit from greater price transparency on ancillary services fees, but he stressed consumers be able to buy such service at the same time they buy an airline ticket.

Southwest Airlines Co. is letting customers to move to the front of the line when boarding planes – for a fee.

Starting today, the Dallas-based carrier is letting travelers buy one of the earliest boarding positions – in the coveted “A” boarding group — for $40 per flight when available.

This means you get to board with the elite fliers and get first crack at the overhead baggage bins.

Customers can buy the new boarding option via credit card from a customer service agent only at the airport gate area 45 minutes before flights depart. Southwest said it decided to launch the program, after receiving positive feedback testing it last month in San Diego.

Rival American Airlines Inc. let its passengers do the same thing in mid-2011, when it announced a program called Express Seats. American travelers at the airport could buy the right to board in Group 1 (and buy seats at the front of the coach section) for up to $40.